'Dupes is a good player': Why Ethan Blackadder was recalled to All Blacks and Kirifi missed out again

The announcement of the 44-man touring squad to South Africa featured a number of surprises in the loose forwards including Crusaders hard man Ethan Blackadder who found his way back into the squad.

Blackadder won his place over the likes of Hurricanes openside Du’Plessis Kirifi who went on to lead the Hurricanes to the Super Rugby title this year.

The last of Blackadder’s 14 Tests was in fact in South Africa in 2024, the 31-27 loss to the Springboks at Ellis Park under former coach Scott Robertson.

After injuries have sidelined the versatile loose forward, Blackadder put in a solid 2026 season with the Crusaders featuring at openside for the first four weeks before exclusively playing blindside the remainder of the season.

Rennie highlighted his physicality and work rate as stand out qualities that the All Blacks selectors were impressed with.

“He’s obviously had a lot of injuries over time, but you know when he played this year, he’s really impressive,” he said of Blackadder.

“He’s just a massive engine, physical, and so we think he offers a point of difference around that.”

With competition around the No.7 fierce, Rennie said that the existing squad members all performed very well making it tough for a specialist like Kirifi to break into the squad.

Up to four players can already cover openside while the addition of Blackadder adds a fifth.

Rennie’s message to Kirifi was to “stay ready” as they would fly out injury cover if needed.

“I spoke to a handful of guys, so I’m not going to go into massive detail, but you know, as you’ve seen with the guys that we used in the Nations Championship, those boys fronted well for us,” he said.

“Luke [Jacobson], Anton [Segner], Peter Lakai, Ardie can all play seven, and certainly, you know, Dupes [Kirifi] is a good player and had a good season, and so there’s there’s good players who’ve missed out, and not just him.

“So his job is to go away, keep working hard, be ready if an opportunity arises. I’d be surprised that we don’t call someone out at some stage.”